So far, the streets of Tuscaloosa are devoid of these guys
All summer long, I've been following The Tuscaloosa News countdown of the Top 25 football programs. I have received countless emails and comments from non-Bama fans that Alabama would be ranked #1 in the countdown and that it's a homer paper and that the categories were chosen to rig an Alabama victory.
Well, prepare to eat crow people, because Alabama comes in at #6 on the list.
What people forget is that the rankings are based on a combination of historical factors as well as factors from the 2005 season. It's a bit of "all-time best" mixed with "current relevance." Knowing that, there was NO WAY Alabama was going to finish #1. I do have to say though that I'm quite surprised they didn't crack the Top 5. I guessed that they would finish at #4.
Anyway, my office window is pointed towards The Tuscaloosa News building and so far, I see no smoke or flames and I can't hear any howling mobs, so perhaps the locals are taking the news in stride.
The Crimson Tide registered points in eight of ten categories:
- 1st in bowls
- 1st in coaching legacy
- 3rd in national titles
- 4th in all-time Top 25
- 8th in 2005 Top 25
- 11th in recruiting
- 14th in attendance
- tied for 15th in hall of famers